Means for holding labels on platen



Aug. 14, 1956 H. R. SYMONDS MEANS FOR HOLDING LABELS 0N PLATEN Filed July 27, 1955 INVENTOR.

HENRY RSYMOIVDS ATTORNEY United States Patent MEANS FOR HOLDING LABELS N PL'ATEN Henry R. Symonds, San Bruno, Calif.

Application July 27, 1953, Serial No. 370,389

6 Claims. (Cl. 197-136) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in means for holding small papers on a platen while typewriting. More particularly, the invention relates to a device which may be attached to the platen to hold small pieces of paper, such as labels, tags, cards and the like. Reference is made to my co-pending application Serial No. 350,180, filed April 21, 1953.

Small pieces of paper, such as labels, are many times not of sufficient length so that the pressure rolls of standard typewriters engage them and hold them in proper typing position. The result is that unless manually held in place such labels tilt or fall from position, thus creating a problem, particularly where large numbers of such labels are used. The present invention comprises a means for holding a label or the like on a platen.

The invention is of particular advantage in that the device may be installed and removed rapidly and easily and the labels may be inserted in position in the device and withdrawn rapidly and easily.

Because of the simplicity and low cost of the device, it is readily adapted for use as an advertising medium. The presence of the device on the platen brings the advertising message borne thereon to the attention of the user at frequent intervals. A typical example of the use of the device is in typing prescription labels. The device may be printed with advertising copy of a drug supply house, thereby bringing the message to the attention of the druggist typing labels at frequent intervals throughout each working day.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective of a typewriter platen with a device made in accordance with this invention installed thereon.

Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are perspective views of modifications of the device.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation showing a triangular bead along the free edge of the retaining strip.

Fig. 6 is an end elevation showing a spiral bead along the free edge of the retaining strip.

Fig. 7 is an end elevation of the form shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a perspective of still another modification.

Fig. 9 is an end elevation of the form shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a perspective of the rear of the device showing a protective covering for the adhesive being peeled back.

Fig. 11 is an end elevation of another modification.

The present invention will be described for use in typing druggists prescription labels of the type attached to bottles, tubes and boxes in which prescription medicines are dispensed. Although the invention has other uses than in typing such labels, the description will be specific to that use, it being understood that it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited merely to such use. Prescription labels are generally small in dimensions with a length such that when in typing position on a 2,7 58,695 Patented Aug. 14, 1956 'ice platen of a conventional typewriter the pressure rolls which function to retain conventional size paper in position do not contact them. Hence they tend to shift position when being typed, to fall or tilt, all of which cause inconvenience to the typist and detract from the appearance of the label.

Reference numeral 10 represents a conventional cylindrical typewriter platen. A small paper label 11 is to be held in place on the platen 10 while being typed. Such labels generally have printed matter 12 such as the name and address of the drugstore along either the top margin or the bottom margin. The present device may be used with either style label. The retaining means hereinafter described is preferably so positioned that it engages the printed edge of the label, leaving the central portion on the opposite edge unencumbered so that the entire blank area of the label is available for typewritten matter.

The device is formed of a flexible material which will curve to conform to the cylindrical shape of the platen It If used for advertising purposes, it is desirable that the material be adaptable for marking with advertising copy. Various materials may be employed, such as cellulose acetate or similar plastic materials, Celluloid, thin metal, rubber, and compounds of a fibrous nature. The material is preferably springy enough so that when fabricated as hereinafter explained it will hold the label in place.

The device is formed larger than the label 11 to be typed so that the label is positioned on the device and held thereon. This has an advantage in that the platen 10 is not damaged because the device protects the platen from damage from the typing action. This prevents one area of the platen surface where a label is ordinarily placed from wearingmore rapidly than the remainder of the platen.

The back surface of the device is provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive 13. Although not essential to use of the device, it is preferable that such adhesive 13 be applied along the top and bottom margins, thus making installation and removal rapid and convenient. It will be understood, however, that the entire back of the device may carry adhesive, or any part of the back of the device may be coated, provided that the area is sufficient to cause proper adherence to the platen. Tape coated with adhesive on both surfaces may be employed, one surface sticking to the back of the device and the opposite surface sticking to the platen. Prior to use, in order to prevent the devices from sticking to each other or some other surface, a protective covering 14 may be applied on the back of the label, which covering is peeled off prior to use.

In the simple form of the device shown in Fig. 1, the top edge of backing 17 is bent forward in a retaining strip 16 along the top of the device, the springiness of the material being such that when a label 11 is inserted under the retaining strip 16 it is frictionally retained in position. It will be understood that the form of device illustrated in Fig. 1 is desirable for labels wherein the printed matter is carried along the top edge so that the entire center and bottom is unencumbered for addition of typewritten matter. Where the bottom of the label is printed, then it is desirable that the retaining strip 16 be along the bottom. The device may be printed with advertising copy 18. For example, the device may be furnished by a drug supply house to druggists and hence carry information about a new product, which information is frequently impressed upon the druggist as he types prescription labels.

The form shown in Fig. 2 differs from that of Fig. 1 in that the top of the folded-over retaining strip 21 is bonded to the backing 17 as indicated by reference numeral 22. This limits the extent of upward penetration of the top of label 11 when it is inserted under the retaining strip 21. Hence there is no need to type on top of the strip of adhesive '13, thereby protecting 'the'platen 10 from being contaminated with adhesive. Repeated typing on top of the adhesive-carrying part of the device might otherwise cause the adhesive to remain on .the platen after the device was removed. Various means may be employed to bond the folded-over' portion to the backing. Thus cement may be employed, or the two parts may be heat-sealed if the material of which the device is formed is thermoplastic.

In the modification of Fig.3, instead of the backing 17 being folded over to form the retaining strip, a separate strip 26 of the same or other-suitable material is bonded to backing 17 and secured by cement '27 or by heatsealing or other manner. The same result is achieved as in Fig. 2 in that the upward penetration of the label 11 is limited, thus making 'it diflicultto type over the adhesive.

In'Fig. ithe retaining strip, which is folded over from backing 1'7, insteadofbeing continuous, as in Fig. I, is discontinuous, the resulting shape being a plurality of springy teeth 31, each .of which functions to secure the upper edge of'the label. In Fig. 4 it is further shown how both the top andbottom edge of the device may be provided with a label engaging means, as may be observed by the'presence of teeth 32 at the bottom of the device. The position of the printed matteron the label will govern the choice of use of the top or bottom edge. The edge not in use maybe trimmed off with a cuttingimplement to reduce the likelihood of the .devicebeing torn by the unused retaining strip being caught in the .carriage or associated parts of the typewriter.

Fig. 5 illustrates a modification of the folded back edge wherein a triangularbead36 is'formed, which shape offers increased pressure tending to hold the label in position. In Fig. 6 thebead 37 is spiral, which shape functions'in a manner similar to thebead of Fig. 5.

In the modification of Fig. 8 a double thickness of material is employed. The bottom edge of backing 4'1 isfolded upward toform a facing strip 4'2 overlyingbacking 41. The top edge of backing $1 is folded'downward to.provide a narrow retaining strip '43. The top edge of facing 42 is inserted under retaining strip i43,'thereby providing an envelope into which a piece of paper '44 of suitable size may be inserted. Paper 44, or'other suitable material, may'be printed with an advertising message which may be changedperiodically by replacing paper '44. The label 11 fits under retaining strip Band on top of facing 42.

In the modification illustrated inFig. 11,'the backing 53 is considerably elongated over that of the devices previously described, being approximately one-half the circumference of platen "10 so that "the "bottom :portion thereof is engaged by representative pressure rollers 51 and '52 and held against the platen. The top edge 54 of the backing is turned over outwardly and is sufliciently springy to retain the top edge of the label 11. The back surface of backing 53 may or may not be partially covered with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. When not so provided, the device may be made of a heavier, firmer, more durable material and preferably molded into cylindrical shape. When placed on platen 10, the curved springiness of the device holds it in position.

Although the present invention has been .described in some detail by way ,of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications .may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Means forholding labels on a platen comprising a thin, flexible backing, adhesive .on the back of said backing-adjacent the top and bottom edges of said backing, and a narrow retaining strip adjacent the top edge of the front of said backing, said retaining strip being connected to said "backing at its upper edge and separated from but resiliently biased toward said backing along its free lower edge.

2. Means according to claim 1 in which said retaining strip isintegral with said backing and is folded forwardly and downwardly.

3. "Means according to claim 1 in which said retaining strip comprises a separate narrow piece of material bonded to said backing along its upper edge.

4. Means according to claim '1 which further comprises a'facing strip formed'integral with said backing and joined to said backing along its bottom edge, the .free upper edge of said facing strip being tucked under the "free edge of said retaining strip.

References Cited in thefile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 493,503 iHOOPEl' Mar. 14, 1893 1,376,683 :De Saussure May 3, 1921 2,461,103 Amis Feb. 8, :1949 

